Seven students; six from Nichols Sawmill Elementary (NSE) and one from Magnolia Sixth Grade Campus, involved in the Texas Future Problem Solvers Program (TxFPSP) are working on a project to rebuild a local park that was the victim of the Tri-County Wildfire.

The students wanted to help restore the areas affected by the wildfire by planting trees, Cherrie Edwards, coordinator and teacher of the program at NSE said. However, a local forester explained to the students that unless the ground received enough rain, planting trees would be almost pointless.

It was then that TxFPSP students Camdyn Engelke and Logan Purvis were informed about a park in the Ranch Crest subdivison that had suffered severe damage during the wildfire.

Pictured are students in the program in front of the mangled park equipment they hope to replace.

The seven TxFPSP students set out to see the park and after a quick observation decided it would be their goal to restore the park to a playful arena by May 2012.

Edwards said the students wanted to restore the park to lift the spirits of those in the community. She said the students thought the park looked sad and wanted to rebuild the park in hopes of rebuilding morale in the community.

“After the students observed the playground equipment with the melted red plastic roof and the scorched play area, they immediately knew that they wanted to restore the park and make it better than it was before the fire,” Edwards said. “In their minds they felt that restoring the park was like restoring hope to the community.”

The playground equipment is mangled and melted and the forest surrounding the park is black.

Although the homeowners association of the subdivision retains liability coverage of the park, the park is a community park which is used by several subdivisions in the area, Edwards explained.

Matthew Ashlock and Purvis echoed her thoughts in saying that it isn’t fair that children of the community do not have a park because of the fire.

The old equipment has been torn down and a pavilion and swing set remain. For the project, the students plan to add a brick walkway, new playground equipment, a walking track, patios, benches and an additional basketball goal. They also plan to landscape the park, remove burned trees and have play areas for both younger and older children.

The project will cost approximately $50,000. The students have applied for a grant from a large corporation which could give the students $15,000 if they are awarded.

However, Edwards says the students would need an additional $24,000 to $40,000 committed to the project in order to receive the grant.

Edwards said the subdivision’s homeowners association does not have funds to completely restore the park.

She said corporate and private donations are needed to help meet the student’s goal. In honor of those that donate, the students will have a sign made at the entrance of the park listing the names of people and businesses that have made donations. In addition, she plans to have bricks for purchase which can be engraved and will be used for the walkway entrance.

The TxFPSP is part of a larger organization, the Future Problem Solving Program International, which was founded to stimulate critical and creative thinking skills, encourages students to develop a vision for the future and prepares students for leadership roles.

Each year, the students pick a year-long project to complete. In previous years, the TxFPSP students at NSE have created Math Busters, a tutoring program put on by the students and was later incorporated throughout the district because of its success. Other projects included Project Tess, which earned International Grand Champion and the rain water harvesting tank at the Montgomery County Community Development Center.

For more information about the project or ways to donate, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Those interested can donate their skills or make monetary donations.

The students plan to hold a community meeting at the park on Jan. 8.

Submitted Photo

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